Miller returns to lineup for Canucks in Carolina

After another poor outing, this time against the Washington Capitals, the Canucks are left with a 1-3-0 record on their current road trip. A good effort and win tonight would certainly improve the feeling around the team right now.

A loss to the Capitals is understandable, if not expected. However, another loss to a non-playoff team would really start to sour things in Canuck-land.

Lineup

Sven Baertschi returns to the lineup, with Brendan Gaunce expected to draw out in his place. Ryan Miller returns from injury and gets the start in goal.

D. Sedin

H. Sedin

Hansen

Baertschi

Horvat

Burrows

Granlund

Sutter

Eriksson

Skille

Chaput

Megna

Hutton

Gudbranson

Sbisa

Stecher

Tryamkin

Biega

Miller

What you need to know

1. Power Outage

The Canucks’ power play has been nothing to write home about this season. At times early on, their conversion rate was hovering in the high single digits. Well, in their last 20 attempts, the Canucks have scored just two goals. Things clearly haven’t improved.

Well, it won’t get much easier against the league’s best penalty kill unit. The Canes are killing penalties at a rate of 92.1% – and second place isn’t even close (Boston Bruins at 87.9%). In fact, Carolina hasn’t allowed a power play goal in their last six games and has only allowed two such goals in their last 20 games.

In 76 opportunities, opponents have scored six goals. The Hurricanes have scored four shorthanded goals.

2. Hurricane Watch

The Hurricanes are just 11-11-6 this season and are returning from a road trip of their own. They managed a 1-1-1 record on their recent trip to California.

Carolina is in the early stages of a youthful revolution, as evidenced by their top scorers. Jeff Skinner and Victor Rask lead the way with 22 and 21 points respectively. While there is a severe drop off after those two players, Teuvo Teravainen and Sebastian Aho are also in the team’s top five scorers. All four of those players are either 24 or under, with Aho just 19 years of age.

With some improved goaltending, the Hurricanes could challenge one of the wild card spots. They allow just 27.4 shots per game (fifth in the NHL), but are 13th in the league in goals allowed per game (2.61). They have a team save percentage of just .905. Cam Ward, currently injured ex-Canucks Eddie Lack, and spot starter Michael Leighton have simply not gotten the job done thus far.

Prediction

Things are beginning to look mighty bleak after the Canucks failed to get on the scoreboard in Washington.

A win tonight against the Hurricanes would ease tensions around the room and send the Canucks back home to Vancouver on a good note. Canucks win 3-1 and score a power play goal because why not?!

Lachlan Macintosh

Above average cook, below average fantasy football player, Harvard graduate, and eternal lover of the Peyote Coyote.